Hepatitis C flare due to superinfection by genotype 4 in an HCV genotype 1b chronic carrier

We report here on a patient affected by chronic hepatitis C who developed acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) superinfection with replacement of genotype 1 b by genotype 4. The history revealed no risk factors for a new exposure to HCV, with the exception of colonoscopy with mucosal biopsy performed about 3 months before. This report underlines the absence of an effective immune-mediated cross-protection against different HCV genotypes. Moreover, the possible relationship between HCV infection and colonoscopy points out the importance of strict adherence to international guidelines for disinfection and cleaning of invasive diagnostic tools for all subjects examined, including HCV chronic carriers. (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.